Aligarh : Dr Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC Human Resource Development Centre, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) presented the Holy Quran’s noteworthy references to climate change and stressed on the duty of mankind to prevent it in the lecture on ‘Climate Change, Carbon Sequestration and Significance of Trees in the Holy Quran’ at the K A Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies.
Speaking on the utmost care for the preservation of trees, she said: “The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was keen on planting trees and exhorted his Companions, too, to do so by saying, ‘Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded’ (Source: Musnad). This saying is sufficient to apprise us of the eco-friendly nature of Islam”.
“Planting a tree is a ‘Sadaqahjariyah’ (continued charity) in Islam, for the poor and the rich alike. Whenever a human being or even an animal shelters under the shade of a tree or relishes a fruit that it produces, the planter will earn rewards, even after his or her death”, Dr Faiza pointed out.
She added: Faith based action for increasing the green cover of the planet is the way forward to mitigate the challenges of global warming and climate change.
“Islam teaches humanity to take care of earth. Muslims believe that mankind should act as guardians of the planet, and that they will be held accountable by the Almighty for their actions.
She stressed: “It is an opportune time to deliberate upon the issue as world leaders have assembled in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt for the CoP 27 – UN Climate Change Conference, 6 to 18.
Dr Faiza also spoke about the mention of trees in various verses of the Holy Quran and informed that soon a garden with trees and plants mentioned in the Quran will be developed at the K A Nizami Center.
Presiding over the lecture, Prof Abdur Raheem Kidwai (Honorary Director, K A Nizami Center) said: “Faith based ecological movements and specially Islamic Eco-Theology are gaining ground as a multidisciplinary approach to environmental conservation across the world”.
Dr Arshad Iqbal also spoke on the plants mentioned in the Quran.
Mohd Salman Ghauri extended the vote of thanks and Syed Mohammad Mobashshir conducted the programme.
